Do you have any questions?
Please contact us if you can’t find answers to your questions. You can reach us via email or WhatsApp. If you have any criticisms or suggestions for improvement, please let us know before you voice them publicly. We promise to do our best to implement every meaningful suggestion. And it’s only with your help that we can improve ourselves and our service.
Thank you very much!
FAQ:
Dynamic Pricing
Why don't you offer discounts and dynamic pricing?
We believe that everything has its true value, regardless of occupancy rates or the season. We’re also constantly frustrated by the fact that, for example, flight prices are always changing, leaving you with the uncomfortable feeling that you’ve paid too much.
Prices shouldn’t be determined by algorithms.
You can find out more here:
Whale Seasons
When is whale saison?
The two whales seasons are August to October [humpwhales from Antarctica] and January to March [humpwhales from Arctica].
Whale
Watching
Are whale sightings guaranteed?
No, this is real nature, not an aquarium. Furthermore, we should all do our part to ensure that the whales remain as undisturbed as possible, so that we can preserve this unique area for future generations—both of whales and humans.
Flights
Are flights to Costa Rica included?
No.
Getting
There
How do I get from San José to Golfito?
Sansa-Air offers short 40-minutes frequently (3 to 5 daily flights).
But you can reach us also easily by bus or car.
Remote
Location
Is the location too remote?
No, not at all. Though the lodges feel very separated and secluded, you can reach town & “civilization” within few minutes.
Safe
Place
Is it safe for families or older travelers?
Yes, this is in general very safe place and the protected bay area offers a calm sea almost all time, for safe swimming and boat usage. Nevertheless, we recommend wearing sturdy shoes. And for the very worst case you can reach the hospital just within 10 minutes.
Children
Is Hidden Bay Villa suitable for children?
Since it is located on a steep slope, we recommend a minimum age of 10.
Included
Tours
Which tours are included?
Sport equipment like bikes, kayaks, Stand-Up-Paddelling are included. Trails are free of charge. The other (guided) tours are at additional costs.
Weather conditions
What happens if a tour is not available due to weather or safety conditions?
We will do our best to ensure that the tours take place or that we can off er a suitable alternative.
Tours
Are tours available year-round?
Most tours are available year-around. whale tours are limited to the whale-seasons.
Refund
Policy
What is the refund policy?
We do not offer refunds. However, you may reschedule your booking free of charge within a 2-year period. You may also transfer your booking to another person free of charge.
Cancellations
What happens if I cannot travel within the booking window?
For cancellations made up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival date, a free alternative date can be booked. For cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance, we charge a rebooking fee of 10% of the booking total. In both cases, the alternative trip must be taken within 24 months or transferred to a third party free of charge. We do not offer a second cancellation.
Voucher
Transfer
Can I transfer the stay to someone else?
Yes, without any additional fees.
Advance
Booking
How far in advance can I book?
5 years if paid in advance.
We do not impose retroactive price increases, even if the nightly rate should rise in the meantime (due to a necessary adjustment for inflation).
Drinkable
Water
Is the water drinkable?
Yes, the water comes from our own spring in the hills and contains no chemical additives. It is filtered twice, and each lodge is also equipped with an EcoFiltro.
Greenwashing
Is this real sustainability or just marketing?
This is real regenerative tourism, with the aim, to gain more resources than our guests and we are using. We will off er full transparency.
A qualified environmental engineer regularly reviews our activities and goals.
Conservation
Support
How much of the project supports conservation?
20% of net revenue will be contributed to SaveGolfoDulce.
VAT &
Taxes
Are VAT & taxes included or paid later?
Yes, all taxes, VAT und fees are included
Booking
Fees
Are there extra booking or service fees?
No, all booking- and platforms-fees included, except for additional services or tours.
Nevertheless, we appreciate direct bookings.
Hidden Bay
Retreat (1)
How can I reach the Hidden Bay Retreat?
This cove is easily accessible on foot only at low tide. However, guests have access to a small motorboat and kayaks. The cove is also home to the caretaker’s house; the caretaker is always available to answer questions and help with any issues, and can also accompany guests on boat tours. In addition, the “Across-the-Bay” dinner service is available here up to three times a day.
We’ll organize your boat transportation to and from the bay. All we need is your approx. arrival time and location in Golfito, along with your departure time.
Hidden Bay
Retreat (2)
Is Hidden Bay Retreat suitable for children?
Since it is located on a steep slope, we recommend a minimum age of 10.
Hidden Bay
Retreat (3)
Why does Hidden Bay Retreat not have air conditioning?
The unique hilltop location off ers a pleasant climate thanks to the breeze. Air conditioning would not be compatible with the “open tropical design,” since the windows and doors are not closed.
Hidden Bay
Retreat (4)
What does “open tropical design” mean?
The house has an open layout; with just a few windows and doors.
Internet
Is there reliable Wi-Fi?
Yes, all lodges & villas have Starlink Internet-access.
Air
Condition
Is there air conditioning in the lodges?
Yes, except the Hidden Bay Retreat.
Humidity
& Insects
What about insects, rain and humidity?
High humidity is a characteristic of the tropics. We also recommend using insect protection.
Included
Meals
Are meals included?
No, but the boat transfer to 3 restaurants is included. Breakfast can be ordered to the lodge.
Restaurant
Boat Transfer
Are restaurant boat transfers included?
Yes, up to 3 return-trips per day to 3 selected partner restaurants.
Restaurants
Are restaurants easy to access?
Yes, 2 restaurants are at Playa Cacao, 3 restaurants are easy to access via our free boat-transfer, many more restaurants are in town.
Included
Tours
Which tours and acticitzies are included?
Sport equipment like bikes, kayaks, Stand-Up-Paddelling are included. Trails are free of charge. The other (guided) tours are at additional costs, or included in your pledge-package.
Restaurant Boat Transfers are included.
Distance
to Golfito
How long does it take to get to the town of Golfito?
By car, it takes about 15 minutes to travel the nearly 5-kilometer route through the forest. You should also plan on an additional 5 minutes to walk to the parking lot.
By boat, it takes about 5 minutes to travel the 1-kilometer route to the marina.
Gated
Community
Is this a Gated Community Resort?
No, the boundaries and “fences” are mainly defined by nature (river courses, jungle, farmland, trails). In principle, you are free to move about the entire property. However, we ask that you respect the privacy of other guests as well as the natural “boundaries” of the other lodges.
Please also be considerate of the neighbors who live outside the Tropical Fjord Lodge.
Please stay on the trails and in the open, accessible areas.
If you’d like to go on a hike deeper into the jungle, please make sure you have the necessary equipment, let us know in advance, and we’ll provide you with an appropriate and experienced guide. This is an authentic rainforest!
Private
or Crowded
Will the property feel private or crowded?
There will be only a few lodges on the 100-acre property. Each one is spaced as far apart as possible from the others to allow guests to immerse themselves fully in nature.
Nature &
Luxury
Is this a luxury resort or a nature lodge?
Both. It is a nature lodge but with good comfort and the luxury of largely untouched rainforest and nature.
Suitable
For
Who is a stay at the Tropical Fjord Lodges suitable for?
It is perfect place for anyone seeking authenticity and who appreciates lush, biodiverse nature.
This is NOT the right place for you if the mere sight of ants makes you uncomfortable, if you're looking for an all-inclusive resort vacation, if you prefer perfect but artificial, plastic-like worlds, or if you've lost your childlike curiosity.
Private
Beach
Do you have a private beach?
Not in the legal sense. In Costa Rica, beaches (first 50 meters) are generally public, and we do not want to suggest otherwise. The beaches around Tropical Fjord are usually quiet and rarely crowded, but they remain publicly accessible.
The small beach by Hidden Bay Retreat is particularly secluded and difficult to reach from land. It therefore feels very private, without being a legally private beach.
Responsibility
Charter
Why do you have a Responsibility Charter?
Because good intentions are not enough. We wanted to define clear limits and principles that guide how we develop and operate Tropical Fjord, and that guests, partners and the local community can hold us accountable to.
We know we will not get everything right. The Charter is not a claim of perfection. It is a commitment to be transparent, answer honest questions, acknowledge when our actions do not match our principles, and correct course rather than hide behind vague promises or excuses.